[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:02.46,0:00:05.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Music: "La Vie en Rose")
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.68,0:00:19.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cecily: Ah, well,\NI feel rather frightened.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.54,0:00:22.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm so afraid he will look\Njust like everyone else.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.41,0:00:23.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Algernon sniffs)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.72,0:00:27.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: He does.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.89,0:00:31.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Algernon: You are my little\Ncousin Cecily, I'm sure.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.26,0:00:33.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: You are under some grave mistake.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.60,0:00:34.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not little.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.78,0:00:38.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, I do believe I'm actually\Nmore than usually tall for my age.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.89,0:00:40.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I am your cousin Cecily,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.76,0:00:43.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you, I see, are also here\Nhelping Jo Michael Rezes
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.80,0:00:45.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with their TEDx talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.62,0:00:51.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you are my cousin Ernest,\Nmy wicked cousin Ernest.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.28,0:00:54.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Oh! Well, I'm not really\Nwicked at all, cousin Cecily.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.62,0:00:56.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You mustn't think that I am wicked.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.32,0:00:58.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Well, I hope you haven't\Nbeen leading a double life,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.99,0:01:02.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pretending to be good\Nand being really wicked all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.33,0:01:03.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That would be hypocrisy.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.78,0:01:07.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Well, of course,\NI have been rather reckless.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.15,0:01:08.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: I am glad to hear it.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.72,0:01:13.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: But the world is good enough\Nfor me, cousin Cecily.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.09,0:01:15.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Yes, but are you good enough for it?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.66,0:01:17.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: I'm afraid I am not that.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.63,0:01:19.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why I want you to reform me.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.60,0:01:21.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Well, I'm afraid\NI have no time this afternoon.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.01,0:01:24.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The TED talk and all.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.23,0:01:25.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.43,0:01:28.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Well, would you mind\Nmy reforming myself this afternoon?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.39,0:01:30.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Oh, that's rather quixotic of you,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.36,0:01:31.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I think you should try.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.84,0:01:34.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Good. I feel better already.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.09,0:01:35.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: You're looking a little worse.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.76,0:01:39.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Well, might I have that pink rose?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.43,0:01:40.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Why?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.60,0:01:43.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Because you are\Nlike a pink rose, cousin Cecily.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.22,0:01:45.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Well, I don't think\Nit could be right for you
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.53,0:01:46.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to talk to me like that.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.72,0:01:49.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: You are the prettiest girl I ever saw.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.38,0:01:52.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: But -- well, I -- I --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.60,0:01:54.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: And, and ahem --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.54,0:01:57.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: All good looks are a snare and --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.64,0:02:00.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Well, it's a snare\Nthat every sensible man
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.26,0:02:02.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would like to be caught in, and ...
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.98,0:02:04.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jo Michael Rezes: (Sighs)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.68,0:02:09.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm so sorry, I um --
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.05,0:02:13.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't finish rehearsing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.10,0:02:17.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Um, well it's not because\NI can't walk in heels,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.05,0:02:18.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm actually really good at that,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.66,0:02:21.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I can prove it to you, too,\Nbut I really am sorry.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.52,0:02:22.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hold on.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.99,0:02:26.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Uh, um.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.26,0:02:30.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No matter.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.91,0:02:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No matter.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.87,0:02:34.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.39,0:02:35.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right, introductions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.88,0:02:37.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a TEDx talk. Right.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.66,0:02:41.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hi, there! (Laughs) Um.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.99,0:02:43.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My name is Jo Michael Rezes,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.85,0:02:47.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm a PhD student here\Nin theater and performance studies.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.35,0:02:51.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I specialize in the study\Nof queer identities
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.23,0:02:54.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as they maneuver and affect\Nthe perceptions of time
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.43,0:02:56.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the performance of camp.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.96,0:02:58.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know camp?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.04,0:03:03.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sincerity in irony's clothing?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.21,0:03:05.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Making the kitsch feel like home?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.62,0:03:06.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.80,0:03:08.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Met Gala theme from 2019
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.17,0:03:11.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was thoroughly misunderstood\Nby over 95 percent of its attendees?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.71,0:03:12.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.74,0:03:13.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No? OK, anyway.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.92,0:03:16.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm also an actor-director\Nand theater educator at large
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.78,0:03:18.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the greater Boston area.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.13,0:03:20.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, and where are my manners?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.21,0:03:23.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The friends I brought with me today\Nare Algernon and Cecily
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.16,0:03:25.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from Oscar Wilde's famously\Nwell-known play,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.66,0:03:27.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The Importance of Being Earnest."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.68,0:03:29.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they'll be back, don't worry.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.33,0:03:30.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've only scared them off a bit.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.93,0:03:32.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And let's be honest,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.09,0:03:34.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it wouldn't be a TEDx talk
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.37,0:03:36.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without things wrapping up nicely\Nat the end, would it?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.99,0:03:38.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.25,0:03:42.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, I hope\Nthat wasn't too awful, though.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.40,0:03:44.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was awkward, I know, to watch me fail.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.24,0:03:47.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To fail at what, exactly, though?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.06,0:03:51.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To play a man and a woman\Nat the same time?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.66,0:03:54.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, to play a man and a woman\Nwhen I'm actually neither?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.12,0:03:59.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why does it feel so awkward\Nwhen we see someone fail at gender,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.39,0:04:00.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why do we care?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.80,0:04:04.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, obviously, me screwing this up\Nwas done on purpose.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.06,0:04:06.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Obviously, I had this all\Nperfectly memorized
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.37,0:04:08.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and rehearsed for today, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.52,0:04:09.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.73,0:04:10.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.75,0:04:14.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I'm here today to talk about\Ngender performativity
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.23,0:04:16.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the ways in which I've used\Nmy acting classroom
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.83,0:04:20.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a space to disrupt the finality\Nof gender performance,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.87,0:04:25.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to open up a looser space\Nfor thinking about gender identity
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.19,0:04:27.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through supportive failure,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.39,0:04:30.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,generous mistakes\Nand honest communication.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.57,0:04:32.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all, actors or otherwise,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.84,0:04:35.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can play with gender\Nin our everyday lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.89,0:04:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I call this "gender rehearsativity."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.26,0:04:43.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, before all of the queer theorists\Nand women's studies degree holders
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.90,0:04:45.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Judith Butler fanatics in the audience
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.95,0:04:50.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,start to tear the half-and-half,\Nhyperbinary costume off of my body,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.80,0:04:52.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let me first explain where popular culture
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.91,0:04:56.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has already begun to misunderstand\Ngender performativity,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.21,0:04:59.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before I move into\Nthe rehearsativity I hold so dear.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.05,0:05:02.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, as an educator
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.48,0:05:05.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and as a youngish\N20-something-year-old trans person,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.66,0:05:08.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm constantly hearing from my\N20-something-year-old students,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.00,0:05:10.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,friends and colleagues
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.19,0:05:12.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that gender is "over" --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.46,0:05:15.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that gender is so fluid and carefree
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.75,0:05:19.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that society, film and television\Nare so inclusive of transgender people,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.96,0:05:22.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it's basically over.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.42,0:05:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I don't ascribe to the binary,\Nas a nonbinary person myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.13,0:05:29.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But gender definitely isn't over.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.95,0:05:32.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or, at least I don't think it is.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.62,0:05:37.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And maybe, just maybe,\Ngender is always beginning.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.08,0:05:39.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This last semester,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.61,0:05:43.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at roughly 10:23am,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.03,0:05:44.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,two of my acting students,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.38,0:05:47.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while embodying delicious caricatures\Nof fraternity brothers --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.82,0:05:50.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,forgive me, I don't remember\Nhis or his name --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.20,0:05:52.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well, they rounded up the class,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.06,0:05:55.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and these two women in snapbacks\Nand baggy clothing
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.53,0:06:00.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,slacked their mouths to reveal lax jaws\Nand lax bro mentalities.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.63,0:06:04.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, astounding as it was to watch,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.06,0:06:10.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these women fluctuated\Nbetween irony and satire,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.74,0:06:15.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the uncanny and the ruthlessly so,\Npain and joy, until ultimately
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.97,0:06:18.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they failed to be the men\Nthey were choosing to embody.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.51,0:06:21.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They simply stopped talking.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.11,0:06:23.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Silence.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.42,0:06:24.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A lull hit the class,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.62,0:06:27.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and time seemed to be\Nsucked clean out of the room.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.83,0:06:30.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in this moment of loud stillness,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.78,0:06:31.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of the women,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.86,0:06:37.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still using her frat bro voice\Nthough fully out of character,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.15,0:06:38.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,said, nearly in a whisper,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.04,0:06:43.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(In frat bro voice)\N"Gender is a social construct."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.85,0:06:45.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.20,0:06:48.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'll admit: I laughed along\Nwith my students that morning,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.99,0:06:52.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,partially at the comedic timing\Nthat my student had in her delivery
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.58,0:06:57.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also at the fact that society\Nhas turned gender performativity
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.59,0:07:00.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into gender as social construct.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.51,0:07:02.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, listen to this:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.70,0:07:06.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think that this idea has come\Nfrom renowned queer studies scholar
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.71,0:07:07.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Judith Butler,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.89,0:07:10.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose seminal work\Nin the performativity of gender
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.49,0:07:12.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has gone on to be a staple
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.16,0:07:15.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in undergraduate classrooms\Nat liberal arts institutions.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.43,0:07:18.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this SparkNotes version\Nof Butler's work
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.16,0:07:23.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is found in the idea that gender exists\Nin repeated words and actions.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.94,0:07:27.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And these performatives create\Nand are created
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.14,0:07:29.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by the bodies of real human beings.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.44,0:07:30.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, listen to this:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.66,0:07:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Moreover, in a 1988 essay,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.29,0:07:39.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Butler claims that gender is an act\Nwhich has been rehearsed.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.02,0:07:41.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In this way,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.24,0:07:45.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gender through repetition\Nbecomes a recognizable script,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.86,0:07:49.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which requires actors to reproduce it."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.11,0:07:50.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Huh.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.29,0:07:55.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Much like my attempt\Nat "The Importance of Being Earnest."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.20,0:07:57.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ooh, I mean -- look at my costume.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.14,0:08:01.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(In a deep voice) Why does this half\Nmake me feel manly, masculine, suave,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.19,0:08:04.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(In a high voice) and this half makes me\Nfeel girly, fabulous and feminine?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.98,0:08:08.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, some of us even forget\Nthat gender is there,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.35,0:08:11.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it is so well-rehearsed\Ninto our bodies.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.00,0:08:15.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there's always an ideal of gender\Nthat we can never quite achieve.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.54,0:08:18.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's up to us to play with it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.12,0:08:22.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I've played with gender\Nthroughout my own career as an actor,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.74,0:08:25.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in one semester\Nas an undergraduate student,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.17,0:08:27.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was cast in two roles simultaneously:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.02,0:08:30.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Brad Majors in "The Rocky Horror Show,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.32,0:08:33.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Charlotte Ivanovna\Nin "The Cherry Orchard."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.81,0:08:37.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One man, one woman and one me.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.65,0:08:40.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would go from one rehearsal,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.73,0:08:43.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,playing the manly, aggressive Brad,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.98,0:08:46.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only to be pulled,\Nmoments later, into a wig
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.96,0:08:51.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and delicately blended eyeliner\Nas Charlotte, a German governess.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.36,0:08:55.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The constant push and pull\Nof these identities
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.03,0:08:58.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was not only invaluable\Nto my work as an actor,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.41,0:09:02.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,attempting to span the spectrum\Nof gender in my work,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.19,0:09:03.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it also revealed to me
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.90,0:09:06.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that my own queer identities
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.22,0:09:10.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are deeply indebted to embodying\Nthe extremes of gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.15,0:09:14.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These characters held important\Nfacets of my identities,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.93,0:09:16.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my body,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.36,0:09:17.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my daily pain,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.87,0:09:20.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my social interactions, of my memories,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.83,0:09:25.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and rehearsing these characters\Nallowed me to explore those identities,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.76,0:09:29.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which has opened up my need\Nas an acting teacher
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.24,0:09:32.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to show the importance\Nof playing with gender in rehearsal.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.51,0:09:36.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when I present to you all
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.11,0:09:37.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(In a high voice) Cecily
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.29,0:09:38.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and (In a deep voice) Algernon,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:38.88,0:09:42.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are these parts\Nof these two characters that I respect,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.98,0:09:44.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,understand implicitly,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.55,0:09:47.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,oppressions I can relate to,\Nfears I can embody,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.45,0:09:49.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,aggressive tendencies\Nthat I try to forget.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.65,0:09:53.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there are also\Nplenty of characteristics
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.44,0:09:56.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with which I have no personal experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.46,0:09:58.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nothing I can draw from.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.07,0:10:01.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And sometimes in a flurry of rehearsal,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.73,0:10:03.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of reading a script,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.20,0:10:04.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of creating a character,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.77,0:10:07.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well ... we make a mistake.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.47,0:10:11.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Algernon's aggressive\Nflirtation towards Cecily
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.27,0:10:12.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't sit well in my body,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.68,0:10:16.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or Cecily's calm demeanor\Nas written by Oscar Wilde,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.40,0:10:18.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just doesn't sit right,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.13,0:10:19.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I literally trip up.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.54,0:10:22.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this TEDx talk is a performance
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.97,0:10:26.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in front of so many people.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.74,0:10:29.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it differs quite drastically\Nfrom my classrooms in that regard.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.95,0:10:34.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there is such a recognizable\Npressure in our daily lives
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.07,0:10:36.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to perform our gender,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.22,0:10:37.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our selves,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.51,0:10:39.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on a stage like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.100,0:10:42.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Quite frankly,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.18,0:10:45.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,failure to pass as a man\Nor a woman effectively
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.60,0:10:48.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is still dangerous for transgender\Nand gender nonconforming people.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.28,0:10:50.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And listen to this:
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.89,0:10:54.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,according to the 2015\NUS Transgender Survey,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.17,0:10:56.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nearly half of respondents voiced
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.32,0:10:58.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they had been verbally\Nharassed in the past year
Dialogue: 0,0:10:58.87,0:11:01.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of their gender\Nidentity or expression.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.48,0:11:05.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that number is shown\Nonly to increase in communities of color.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.50,0:11:11.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many of us now claim to view gender\Non a spectrum -- and that's great --
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.44,0:11:14.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including 60 percent\Nof Generation Z individuals
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.24,0:11:16.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who reported to the Pew\NResearch Center in 2019
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.76,0:11:20.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they believe forms with boxes\Nfor "male" or "female"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.19,0:11:22.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,should include more gender options.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.85,0:11:24.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in spite of this,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.48,0:11:28.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there is still latent fear\Nof making gender mistakes
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.55,0:11:30.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in offices, in classrooms,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.96,0:11:32.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the eyes of the government,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.53,0:11:34.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in romantic situations,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.29,0:11:36.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and for some of us,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.15,0:11:38.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even in the mirror\Nwhen we wake up in the morning.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.97,0:11:44.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But our gender mistakes\Nhave the potential for something good.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.69,0:11:45.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even in the binary,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.97,0:11:48.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,approaching life on the stage\Nas a man or a woman,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.40,0:11:51.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can support each other\Nin experimentation,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.40,0:11:52.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trips and stumbles,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.68,0:11:54.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,two-hour-long meditations on
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.70,0:11:57.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or five-second costume\Nchanges with gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.03,0:11:59.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And failure is a key part
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.07,0:12:01.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Judith Butler's theory\Nof performativity.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.55,0:12:03.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I do believe that for most people,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.82,0:12:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like you all out there,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.20,0:12:09.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you might hear "performativity"\Nand hear "perform."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.78,0:12:12.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's to say, performance-ready
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.07,0:12:14.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or if not performance-ready,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.14,0:12:18.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,perhaps performance in general\Ngives you anxiety.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.38,0:12:21.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or the stage fright that I have\Nto this very day.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.08,0:12:26.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What we need to understand\Nis that failing at gender
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.22,0:12:30.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can and should be a positive,\Ngenerative process.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.75,0:12:33.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The mistakes we make with gender\Ncan only help us grow
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.98,0:12:37.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and better understand the multitudes\Nof gender around us.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.56,0:12:40.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we need to make space\Nfor these mistakes.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.82,0:12:43.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to hold space for failure.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.14,0:12:47.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's where rehearsativity\Ncomes into play.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.84,0:12:51.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, one of the main points\NI like to make with my acting students
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.49,0:12:55.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when they're last-minute panicking\Nabout a monologue or a scene,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.15,0:12:58.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that no one is ever actually ready.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.27,0:13:02.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, we're never actually\Ndone rehearsing,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.39,0:13:05.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're just put in front of an audience.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.92,0:13:08.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I taught a workshop\Non gender-bending this last summer
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.74,0:13:10.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at Somerville Arts for Youth,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.69,0:13:14.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I made it quite clear\Nto a group of middle school-aged students
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.08,0:13:17.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you cannot be a bully\Nand a good actor at the same time.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.25,0:13:19.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's impossible.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.84,0:13:22.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is something\Nabout the act of embodiment
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.03,0:13:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that requires empathy to survive.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.42,0:13:29.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bullying prohibits the creative process.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.100,0:13:32.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As these middle schoolers\Nmoved about the room,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.85,0:13:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trying on the extremes\Nof binary gender presentation,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.05,0:13:40.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this dissolved into galumphing,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.78,0:13:43.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,laughter,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.14,0:13:47.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,parodying of stereotypes\Nthey see in movies and on television,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.82,0:13:51.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,joy in the failure to understand gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.86,0:13:56.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even my college students,\Nin "Introduction to Acting,"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.10,0:13:59.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,jumped on the opportunity\Nto play with gender
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.23,0:14:01.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I restricted their time to think.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.20,0:14:02.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On Halloween last year,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:02.40,0:14:04.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I asked my students\Nto come to class in costume
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.65,0:14:09.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to, well, to throw their hats\Ninto the middle of a circle,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.47,0:14:11.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,metaphorically and literally,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.35,0:14:12.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the only rule of the game
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.02,0:14:15.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was that they had to go\Ninto the center of the circle,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.77,0:14:17.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,take on a hat, pick a character,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:17.61,0:14:19.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then switch.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:19.15,0:14:21.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No time to think.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.96,0:14:24.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it wasn't until two men in the class
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.17,0:14:26.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,noticed no one running\Nto the center of the circle
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.65,0:14:28.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they jumped into the center,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.42,0:14:29.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and one became
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.95,0:14:31.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(In a deep voice) a British chauvinist,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:31.86,0:14:35.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(In a high voice) and the other,\Na high-pitched, coy British lady.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:38.28,0:14:40.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Time stood still.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.48,0:14:43.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Laughter,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:43.03,0:14:44.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mimicry,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.34,0:14:46.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,joy, again,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.10,0:14:48.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the failure to understand gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.84,0:14:53.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's the potential\Nof gender rehearsativity.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.59,0:14:56.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I challenge you all
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.09,0:14:59.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to think of your days as mini-rehearsals.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.26,0:15:05.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cultivate spaces in your life\Nto explore gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.78,0:15:09.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And allow other people\Nto explore their gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.21,0:15:11.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fail at gender.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.53,0:15:15.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wish I could give you more tangible ways\Nto go out and do this.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.27,0:15:18.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But gender is funny like that.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:20.74,0:15:25.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gender is an act which has been rehearsed.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:26.00,0:15:29.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some acts more rehearsed\Nthan others. (Laughs)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.68,0:15:34.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But gender is far from being perfect.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:35.26,0:15:36.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And sometimes,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:37.37,0:15:38.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just like in rehearsal,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:39.86,0:15:43.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we support each other\Nin times of play,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:43.69,0:15:46.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in times of joy and times of pain,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.74,0:15:53.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we wind up succeeding more\Nthan if we hadn't tried or failed at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.70,0:15:58.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Well, I think\Nthat has been a great success.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.24,0:16:01.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm in love with Cecily,\Nand that is everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.12,0:16:03.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I must see her before I go.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:04.88,0:16:08.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, there she is.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:08.31,0:16:11.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Oh, I merely came back\Nto water the roses.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.13,0:16:14.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I thought we were at a TEDx talk with Jo.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.25,0:16:15.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: Oh.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:15.47,0:16:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, they've gone to order\Nthe dogcart for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:18.62,0:16:19.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Oh.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.93,0:16:22.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are they going to take you\Nfor a nice drive?
Dialogue: 0,0:16:22.12,0:16:24.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: They're going to send me away.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.49,0:16:25.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Oh.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:25.73,0:16:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we have to part.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:27.51,0:16:29.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A: I'm afraid so.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:29.32,0:16:31.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a very painful parting.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:32.48,0:16:37.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,C: Well, the absence of old friends\None can endure with equanimity.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.50,0:16:40.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But even a momentary separation
Dialogue: 0,0:16:40.55,0:16:44.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from anyone whom they've just met
Dialogue: 0,0:16:45.68,0:16:47.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is almost unbearable.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:51.55,0:16:52.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,JMR: Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:55.50,0:16:59.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)